Venice Canals

Venice Canals is a district in the Venice district of Los Angeles, California. The canals were built in 1905 by the developer Abbot Kinney, who sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy in the United States. The lit canals with gondoliers and arched bridges drew widespread publicity and helped sell lots in the development. However, as the automobile gained popularity, the canals were viewed as outdated, and the bulk of the canals were filled in 1929 to create roads. By 1940, the remaining canals had fallen into disrepair, and the sidewalks were condemned by the city. The canals remained in poor condition for more than 40 years, and numerous proposals to renovate the canals failed due to lack of funding, environmental concerns, and disputes over who should pay for the renovations. The canals were finally renovated in 1992, with canals being drained and new sidewalks and walls being built. The canals re-opened in 1993 as a desirable and expensive residential section of the city.